Pyrophoric flame producing mechanism



March 28, 1939. v ARQNSQN 2,152,452

PYROPHORIC FLAME PRODUCING` MECHANISM Filed July 6, 1935 Patented Mar. 28, 1939 #NWI PYBOPIIOBIO FLAME PIODUCING HECHANIIH Louisv.Aromen,Newark,N.2.,assignertcArtV corporation Metal Works. Inc.. a I8! of New Jer- Lpplioatlon Jill! 6, D, Serial No. 3.,.

Chino. (Cl. CI-LI) My invention relates to pyrophoric lighting mechanism comprising means operable by manual pressure applied to a torch to produce a freely burning flame at the end of said torch.

My invention has reference generally to improved features and arrangements relating to the construction and operation of pyrophoric lighters of the class comprising a torch utilizable as an operating member for producing the shower of pyrophoric sparks.

. Various other advantages, features and characteristics of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

My invention resides in the flame-producing mechanism, features, arrangements and combinations of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of one of the many forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompany drawing, in which: l

Figure 1 is a plan view of my novel mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing various parts of my novel mechanism in disassembled relation;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing my novel mechanism after operation thereof has been effected;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing my novel mechanism in normal condition;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing an arrangement of my novel mechanism; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, and is taken on the line l-O of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, the herein described mechanism is shown as comprising a top plate I which is suitably secured, as by a plurality of screws 2 interiorly of the circular depending flange 3a of a cover plate l. Apair of spaced frame members 4, 5 depend from the top plate I, these frame members, preferably, being disposed in substantially parallel relation as shown in Fig. 4 and being soldered or otherwise suitably secured to the lower surface of said top plate I.

As illustrated, the frame member I terminates in a lower lateral section la which slidably re. ceives the lower end of a reciprocatory actuating bar 6 extending vertically through alined openings formed in the plates I and l, said bar i terminating in an upper lateral section Ia to which is secured a cup-shaped member 1. The

lcwerendofthebarlisreduoedinwidthsoas to form a fiangelb, Iiig.I 2. a helical spring 8 being disposed around said lower'end of the bar l with the upper end thereof engaging the flange lb and the lower end thereof engaging the lateral section la of the frame member I. BY virtue of this arrangement, the bar l is continuously biased in an upward direction.

As shown, a nxed supporting member l extends horizontally and is supported by the frame members l and l, this member t pivotally supporting a pair of levers Il and II. In the form of the invention herein shown, the lever Il is confined between two spacing members I2 and II disposed, in freely rotatable relation, on the supporting member I. The lever IB terminates in a slotted end Ila disposed in slidable engagement with respect to a pin Il secured to and extending laterally from the aforesaid bar l. The lower end of the lever Il carries a lateral pin Il to which one end of a helical spring II is secured, the other end of said spring being secured to a pin I1 extending laterally from and secured to an extension of the aforesaid lever II.

As indicated in Fig. 6, the lever II is secured in suitable manner to the spacing sleeve I3 so as to be oscillatory therewith. This lever II comprises an upper arcuate section terminating in peripheral gear teeth I8, said arcuate section extending through alined slots formed in the plates I and l, the gear teeth I8 being utilizable as hereinafter described. As clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the lever II comprises a nose IIa normally engaged by the aforesaid pin I5 which was described as projecting laterally from the lever It.

In Fig. 2, the lever II is illustrated as in-its normal position, said lever being releasably retained in said position by a suitable latch such, for example, as herein exemplified by the pawl I! which is pivoted on a pin 20 extending laterally from an extension of the frame member l. The pawl Il is biased in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 2, by a spring 2| coiled around said pin 2li whereby said pawl is releasably latched in engagement lwith a pin 22 extending laterally from the lever II. The pawl I9 comprises a lateral section Ita adapted to be actuated in the manner hereinafter described so as to swingsaid pawl I9 clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 2.

Extending vertically above the cover plate 3 are a pair of spaced standards 23, 23a which-are secured to said cover plate in any suitable manner, as by soldering. If desired and as herein shown. the standard 23 may b e an upper extension of the frame member l. 'Ihe standards 23, 23a form a support for a pyrophoric sparking unit of any suitable character.

Thus, for example, said unit may comprise a serrated wheel 24 of the usual type, this wheel being engaged by a pyrophoric member 26 which in part projects from a tube 23 extending downwardly through the plates I, I and, preferably, being anchoredto thel fr ame member 4. The tube 20 contains the usual helical spring, not shown and the lower end of said tube is closed by a threaded plug 21l which holds the spring under lcompression whereby the pyrophoric member 23 is biased into engagement with the serrated wheel 2l.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the serrated wheel 24 defines an axial circular passage, the surface of which is formed with ratchet teeth 24a, said serrated wheel.being loosely mounted on one 2 end of a supporting member having a lateral bore receiving a spring-pressed slidable pawl 29. The other end of said member 23 has a pinion 30 peened or otherwise suitably secured thereto, the teeth of this pinion being in meshing relation with respect to the aforesaid gear teeth I8 of the lever II. As disclosed, screws 3| and 3Ia are threaded into the respective opposite ends of the supporting member 23, these screws being loosely supported by the respective standards 23, 23a.

In the form. of my invention herein shown, there is provided a fuel casing F having a lower surface 22 preferably felt-covered, this fuel casing serving as a base-for the herein disclosed f. mechanism. Upstanding from the top wall/34 of this fuel casing and communicating therewith is a tubular member 35 which is maintained in vertical position in any suitable manner, as by means comprising a clamping nut 33 which engages the top surface of said wall 34. As herein illustrated in Fig. 4, the fuel casing F contains a mass of cotton absorbent material 31 or the like, fuel such, for example, as high test gasoline being introduced into vthe fuel casing through an opening in the top casing wall Il, such opening being normally closed by a threaded plug 33, Fig.

In accordance with the invention. the top of the fuel casing F is provided with a flanged circular surface 34a adapted to receive, in readily detachable manner, the lower end of a circular main casing M which may be and preferably is a sleeve-like member formed from sheet metal.

To assemble the mechanism herein disclosed, the main casing M is seated upon the fuel casing F with the lower main casing surface disposed interiorly of and in engagement with the flanged surface 34a of the fuel casing. The plates I and 3 are apertured as indicated at 33, Fig. 4, provide a through which the upper end of the tubular member 35 extends. Accordingly, by virtue of such passage, the plates I and be seated upon the main casing M with end of the tubular member 35 extendthroughtheaperture 38 andwith themechanismearriedbyandbelow theplates I,3 disposedinterlns'lyofthemaincasingM.

As clearb indicated in Fig. 4, the part of the tubular member 3l normally disposed above the plate 3 is threaded for the reption of a sleeve nut "which, when seated as shown in said Fig. 4. engages the upper surface or the plate s to therein positively maintain the various parts of the mechanism in assembled relation.

In 'accordance with a preferred form of the invention, the upper part of the main casing M is externally threaded and the dange la of the plate 3 is interiorly threaded. Therefore, prior to the assembly of the parts with the fuel casing F, the main casing M may be threaded to the plate I whereupon the assembling operation may proceed as heretofore described. Although it is important, it shall be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the feature last described.

As stated above. the tubular member 3l communicates with the fuel casing F. This tubular member is open at its top and it forms a passage, therefore, through which the lower end of a torch member T may be passed so as to position the same interiorly of said fuel casing. 'I'he torch member may be of any suitable construction such, for example, as disclosed in my pending applications Serial No. 727,060, nled May 23, i934, or Serial No. 7475855, led October 1l, 1934. As herein shown, the torch member T comprises a tubular sleeve 4I which receives a tubular wick I2 having a metallic rod 4I extending centrally therethrough. The torch T comprises an upper handle section 44 formed with a lower flanged section I5 adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the sleeve nut 4l, Fig. 4. When the torch T is thus positioned, the lower end thereof-the part bearing the exposed wick section-is disposed interiorly of the fuel casing F, Fig. 4, so as to have fuel transferred to said wick section.

When the mechanism ofl my invention is to be operated, the torch T is withdrawn from the tubular member 35 and the lower end of the torch rod 43 placed in engagementwith the cup-shaped member 1. Thereupon, the application of downward pressure to the torch T causes the actuating bar l to be moved downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3. In so doing, the lever I is swung in a counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 2 toward that shown in Fig. 3 with the result that the pin I recedes from the lever nose Ila to thereby place the spring I3 under a greater and greater degree of tension. As stated, this spring I6 is connected to both of the levers Il and I I but the tensioning of said spring does not cause movement of the lever II because, at this time, said lever Ii is locked by the pawl I3 in the position shown in Fig. 2.

During continued movement of the lever Il in a counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 2, the end Ich of said lever approaches and finally engages the section Ila. of the pawl Il and, eventually in response to the application of pressure to said pawl, the latter is swung clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3 with the result that the lever II is released for movement under the influence of the tensioned spring I6.

When the lever II is released as Just described. the tensioned spring I3 acts thereon to swing the same in a counter-clockwisedirection and with a snap action from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3. This movement of the lever II continues until the nose Ila thereof again comes into engagement with the pin Il.

When the above described counter-clockwise motion of the lever II occurs, the lower end of the torch T is in substantially the position shown in Fig. 3. As will be clearly understood, the lever II, while moving as described above with a snapping action, causes the pinion Il to rotate in a augen with a snap action to thereby produce a shower of pyrophcric sparks, these travelling in the direction indicated in Fig. 3 and, upon coming in engagement with the exposed lower end of the wick 42, igniting the fuel thereon to produce a freely burning flame.

In this manner, the fuel on the torch T is .ignited to thereby produce a i'lame which may be utilized for any desired purpose. For example, said torch may be utilized for the ignition'of a gas burner, cigarettes, pipes. etc., and, in so doing, said torch may be passed from hand to hand, if desired. When the torch has served its intended purpose, it may be reinserted in the tubular member 35 to cause the lower end thereof to come within the fuel casing F whereby an additional charge of fuel is taken up for subsequent use in the same manner as hereinbefore described. Preferably, although not necessarily, the flame at the lower end of the torch T is extinguished before reinsertion in the tubular member 35. However, if not thus extinguished, it will be understood that passage of the torch into said tubular member serves to snuff the flame.

When the torch T is removed from the cupshaped member 1, the various parts automatically return to their respective normal positions. More particularly, the spring 8, which previously had been compressed in response to downward movement of the actuating bar B, becomes free to and does expand. In so doing, the actuating bar 6 is elevated to its normal position as shown in Fig. 2, the levers Il! and Il, substantially as a unit and with the pin I remaining in engagement with the lever nose Ila, returning to their respective normal positions as shown in Fig. 2 and, .when finally returned to said position, the pawl I9 again moving to latching position with respect to the pin 22. In this manner, the various parts are returned to their respective normal positions and placed in condition for subsequent operation, the latter occurring in the same manner as hereinbefore described in detail when the actuating bar 6 is depressed by the application of pressure thereto by the torch T. During return of the parts to their normal respective positions, the pinion 30 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 3. At this time, however, the serrated wheel 24 remains stationary, by virtue of the described ratchet connection and further by reason of the pressure exerted on said serrated wheel 24 by the pyrophoric member 25 and its biasing spring.

In view of the foregoing description, it is believed obvious that the mechanism of the invention herein disclosed presents certain advantages which are non-existent in connection with prior art arrangements of the same general character.

Thus, as clearly appears from a consideration of Fig. 1, the various parts above the cover plate are disposed in a compact manner and are advantageously positioned with respect to each other so as to facilitate efiicient operation. As will be noted, the tubular member 35, which forms the normal receptacle for the torch T, is positioned at one side of the sparking-unit and immediately adjacent the member 'I which is engaged and depressed by the torch T. This arrangement of parts is highly advantageous from an operating viewpoint and is considered a,dis tinct feature of novelty not heretofore previously known or used. More particularly, it is old to have the torch receptacle (member 35), the cupshaped member 1, or equivalent, and the sparking unit mounted in line with the unit last named between the receptacle and member 1. The disclosed arrangement differs from this in obvious respects and is advantageous. It shall be'understood that the disclosed relation of these parts is not to be limited to lighting mechanism oi' the exact type disclosed herein.

In addition to the foregoing, the actuating bar 5 is of a form well adapted for large scale production. This actuating bar, as disclosed in the present application, is a distinct improvement on equivalent arrangements ofthe prior art by reason of the emcient and non-emcient manufacturing operations that may be practiced in connection therewith.

Further, the disclosed arrangement presents many advantageous features not found in the prior art devices. Thus, the actuating mechanism per se is of a simplified type compared with existing arrangements; the provision of the fuel inlet interiorly of the main casing is advantageous; the attachment of the main casing to the cover plate is a desirable feature the configuration of the casings is well chosen from the viewpoint of space requirements, etc., etc.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain particular preferred examample which gives satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and lt is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modiilcations.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In pyrophoric lighting mechanism, a sparking unit, and a movable torch-actuated member disposed in the path oi' sparks projected from said unit, said member being a straight bar having a laterally disposed torch-engaging section at the top thereof, said bar, throughout the length thereof, being rectangular and of substantially greater width than thickness, said bar comprising a plurality of sections each of different width.

2. In combination, a casing, a sparking unit carried thereby, a movable member associated with said casing, said movable member having an actuating section disposed in the path of sparks projected from said sparking unit, a torch operable to move the actuating section .of said movable member in said path, a spring in which energy is stored in response to such movement of said movable member, a lever controlled by said movable member, a lever controlling said sparking unit, a spring having its respective opposite ends connected to said levers, and latch means for delaying operation of said second lever.

3. In combination, a casing, a sparking unit carried thereby, a movable member associated with said casing, said movable member having an actuating section disposed in the path of sparks projected from said sparking unit, a torch operable to move the actuating section of said movable member in said path, a spring in which energy is stored in response to such movement of said movable member, a lever controlled by said movable member, a lever controlling said sparking unit, a. spring having its vrespective opposite ends connected to said levers, and latch means for delaying operation of said second lever, such movement of said movable member storing energy in said second spring and release oi said latch lever and thence to said sparking unit.

4. In combination. a casing. a sparking unit carried thereby. a movable member associated with said casing, said movable member having an actuating section disposed in the path of sparks projected from said sparking unit, a torch operable to move 'the actuating section of said movable member in said path, a lever operatively connected with said actuating section and pivoted at a point within said casing beneath said sparking unit, ya second lever operatively connected to said unit ior actuating the latter, a spring interconnecting said levers and in which energy is stored in response to movement of said movable member, latch means tor delaying operation of said second lever, said latch means coacting directly with said second lever, and means for releasing said latch means to thereby eect the transfer of energy to said second lever and thence to said sparking unit.

5. In combination, a casing, a sparking unit carried thereby, a movable member associated with said casing, said movable member having sn actuatingvsection disposed in the path of sparks projected from said sparking unit, a torch operable to move the actuating section of said' movable member in said path, a lever operatively connected with said actuating section and pivoted at a point within said casing beneath said sparking unit. a'second, lever operatively connected to said unit for actuating the latter, said second lever being pivoted adjacent said point, a spring interconnecting said levers and in which energy is stored in response to movement of said movable member, latch means for delaying operation of said second lever, and means on said nrst mentioned lever for releasing said latch. thus permitting transfer or said energy to said second lever and thence tc said sparking unit. 

